Can-opener.



No. 707,253. Patented Aug. I9, I902.

I .1. w. PIERCE.

CAN OPENER.

[Application filed Nov. 20, 1901.

(No Modal.)

"Ifmu UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JESSE \VASllINGTON PIERCE, OF BELTON, TEXAS.

CAN OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 707,253, dated August 19, 1902. Application filed November20, 1901. Serial No. 83,051. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JESSE WASHINGTON PIERCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Belton, in the county of Bell and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Can-Opener, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to can-openers of that character embodying a fulcrum-point to be inserted into the center of the head of'a can and about which the device is adapted to be swung, so as to cut the head of the can in the path of a circle. In this type of canopener considerable difficulty is experienced in thrusting the fulcrum-point of the canopener into the top of the can, and in view of this difficulty it is the object of the present inventionto arrange the stem and handle of the device so that the latter may be employed as a driver to force the pointed end of the stem into the head of the can, thereby to facilitate the engagement of the device with the can.

With this and other objects in view the present inventionconsists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanyingdrawings,aud particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a can-opener embodying the present invention and shown inposition to out the head of a can. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the can-opener, illustrating the manner of driving the pointed stem. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the stem of the device.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawlngs.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates the metallic stem, which is provided at its outer end with a lateral extension 2, terminating in a forwardly-directed terminal pointed projection 3, thereby formthere is slidably mounted a heavy metallic handle 4, which is tubular in form to receive the stemand is provided with a transverse pin or key 5, which Works in a longitudinal slot or groove 6, formedin the stem, thereby tofprevent turning of the handle upon the stem and also to limit the endwise movement of the handle. The inner end of the handle is provided with a reduced cylindrical extension 7, upon which is rotatably mounted a cutting-disk 8, which is held in place by means of a washer 9, fitted t0 the cylindrical extension and against the outer face of the disk, the outer end of the extension being upset against the disk, as indicated at 10, whereby the disk is rotatably mounted upon the handle.

In using the can-opener the point 3 is placed at the center of the head of a can, after which the handleis withdrawn to its outerlimit and then quickly thrust downwardly, whereby the pin 5 strikes against the lower shoulder of the slot orgroove 6 in the stem, and thus forces the pointed end of the latter into the can, after which. the handle is swung do'wn- ,wardly, so as to bring the cutting-disk into engagement with thecan, and then the device is swung around upon the point of the stem as a fulcrum, thereby to out the head of the can in the path of acircle.

From the foregoing description it is apparout that the present device .is adjustable to accommodate the sameto cans of different diameters, as the handle is slidable upon the stem, and therefore the cutter may be located at any point uponthe stem within the limit of the handle. Furthermore, by reason of the fact that the'inward movement of the handle upon the stem is positively limited by reason of a portion of the handle striking against the stem the handle forms a driver, which can be conveniently manipulated to facilitate the driving of the pointed end of the stem into the head of a can.

' What I claim is 1 A can-opener,comprising a pointed stem,

a freely-reciprocatory weighted driving-handle slidably mounted upon the stem, a stop engagement between the stem and the handle to limit the inward movement of the latter, and a cutter carried by the handle.

ing a pointed hook-terminal. Upon this stem 2. A can-opener, comprisinga pointed stem having alongitudinal slot or groove, a freelyreciproeatory weighted driving-handle slidably mounted upon the stem and having a projection working in the slot or groove for contact with the opposite ends thereof, and a cutter carried by the handle.

3. Acan-opener,cornprisingastein provided at its outer end with a hooked pointed termi nal, and also having an intermediate longitudinal groove or slot, a hollow metallic handle slidably mounted upon the stem, and provided with a transverse pin Working in the slot or groove and adapted to engage the opposite ends thereof, the inner end of the handle being reduced, and a rotatable cuttingdisk mounted upon the reduced inner end of the handle, the outer end of the reduced portion of the handle being upset to prevent displacement of the disk.

4:. A can-opener, having weighted freelyreciprocatory means working upon the stem thereof and forming a driving-handle to drive the point of the stem into a can.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JESSE WASHINGTON PIERCE. \Vitnesses:

HENRY AUSTIN, L. E. SCALES. 

